Death is coming

The closer death creeps up upon me the less I am able to understand the reasons for life or living.

Yes I have experienced a close family member dying and unlike television it takes decades to handle such a thing. To think I am going to put my family through such a thing when I finally leave is more horrific to me than the thought of death itself.

My life was and is still a learning experience but when all said and done what am I to do with all this accumulated learning over my lifetime if I just die. There is no logic or reason to this.

Long ago I became aware that the God story that is sold to the majority is just a nice story to give mankind with a message of a basic layout of how nice life could be if everyone followed these ideas. Not many in life do and if one thinks about it the good and evil structures actually depend on each other. The good that can be experienced in life is only understood as good when there is it's opposite to compare it to. This is not rocket science only common sense in reality. I am not saying we need to experience bad but understanding in it is needed to appreciate the great things many of us can have in our lives. From birth to death there are many ways mankind helps his fellow man. How many ways can you help?


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Youth Outreach Ministry Sets Children On The Right Path

By Melody Bensen


Although parents are the most influential people in the life of a child, youth outreach ministry provides a helping hand with this tough job. Children dealing with conflict and disruption at home are often more vulnerable to the negative influence of kids who want to lure them in the wrong direction. Outreach programs have the power to put them onto a straighter path.

During the summer, churches often run week-long camps which kids attend every morning for an hour or two. Between sports drills or crafts they hear the gospel. Even if the participants are very young, there is always a need for teens to be leaders. This requires a high level of accountability and provides a reason for teens to think twice about what examples they are setting to little children.

Large churches usually have a big pastoral staff, with one individual assigned the task of ministering to children. His job is to run weekly groups for young people as well as a few special events. The first part of a regular youth night is dedicated to playing games. After eating a snack, the kids usually listen to a message from the bible and might even break into small discussion groups.

Some teens are familiar with the Old and New Testaments. Others have never been to church. Many have heard of Jesus but do not know who He is.

One reason moms and dads love these programs is that they are free. They usually run from one and a half to two hours and carry-on regardless of the weather. The kids have fun while also seeing positive examples set by volunteers from among the parents, church members, or even older teens who help out with younger groups.

Youth outreach ministry is not just a full-time job. Pastors who take this kind of role are often available to kids twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Many young people are struggling with difficult life circumstances and trust their pastor and other volunteers to help them make good choices when facing conflict at home or school. Though the work is often exhausting, it is also rewarding to see Jesus change lives.




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